Maharashtra FDA seizes food stock worth Rs 9 crore
The agency suspended licences of 19 food businesses and seized 3.53 lakh kg of food articles during a festive-season drive.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food articles worth Rs 9.01 crore from 114 establishments across seven divisions of the state, according to India Today.
During a special festive-season enforcement drive, the agency also suspended the licences or registrations of 19 food business operators, including namkeen, sweetmeat and spice manufacturing units in the Mumbai, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions.
The seizure included 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee valued at Rs 20.20 lakh from Ms Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The FDA stated the stock was seized on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration and was prima facie in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Other major seizures included 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district, and 20,560 kg of rice, pulses and jaggery from Amin Traders in Satara. Edible oil was also confiscated from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur.
Between October 28 and 31, the agency seized banned food articles worth Rs 79.40 lakh from 17 establishments. This period saw 13 FIRs registered, 16 persons arrested, seven establishments sealed and six vehicles seized.
Separately, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services and Flipkart India regarding alleged labelling and advertising violations for Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder. The companies must submit explanations within 30 days.